BRITISH TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1931, Page 5

BRITISH TARIFF

THREAT TO GOVERNMENT.

WILL BRITISH INFLATION GROW?

(United Press Association.—By Electrio Telegraph. —Copyright.)

LONDON, December 10,

Mr Leopold Amery, speaking after I Air MacDonald in the Labour Party’s censure motion debate condemned the Government's failure to adopt immediate drastic remedies to deal with the country’s adverse trade balance. As other countries had gone off gold, the cost of living had not mounted appreciably, and he said when the stocks became exhausted and when the pound fell further, the cost of living in Britain was bound to rise. The whole scale of producton costs would rise then Britain would either have to inflate, or further strangle the country’s trade. Purely as an emergency measure, a general tariff, to restrict imports must immediately be imposed. Plenty of information and examples existed. The only unpardonable crime would, be-a failure to act before it was too late. If the National Government could not act courageously and swiftly, it must give place to another Government. He advocated a Cabinet of five members, capable of quick decisions. /

REACTION TO TARIFF.

COUNTRIES IMPOSE SURTAX,

LONDON, December 10

In the House of Commons, Hilton Young, in answer to 'a, question said that apart from the French surtax, the following other alterations in foreign tariffs' were expected to affect British trade.

Italy has imposed a surtax of fifteen per cent, apart from coal imports and a. few other items, t Canada now has her customs duties calculated the par of exchange. India has imposed a surcharge of twenty-five per cent, on practically all import duties. Argentina has imposed a ten per cent. ad. valorem surtax on practically all duties. South Africa has imposed an additional five per cent, ad valorem surtax on all importations. Mr Hilton Young said that tariff increases had also been imposed in Denmark, Finland, Poland and Uruguay.

FRANCE’S SURTAX.

TILTS IN THE COMMONS.

LONDON, December 10

In the House of Comfnons Mr Horo Belisha informed Sir F. Hall (Con.), that the French Government, in reply to British representations, had justified France’s fifteen per cent, surtax on British and Australian goods as a corrective of the sterling depreciation.

Mr F. Hall said: “When the franc stood at 240, we did not do likewise. jSTo reprisals should deter the 'imposition of our duties to protect British trade.

Mr W. Smithers (Con.): “Will Mr Runcimun remind France of the amount we let them off over the war debts P”